Stages tend to be an afterthought for many players in fighting games, simply providing a backdrop for the hectic combat that is about to commence. However, there's no denying that some fighting game franchises have produced memorable combat arenas that stand out for their design, atmosphere, and music. This is especially true in the Mortal Kombat franchise. It has a rich lore full of unique locales where players can fight, and added to this, many stages allow the characters to interact with the environment. This makes the arena feel much more alive.